What kind of life must you have lived, when friends ask mutual friends if everything you say about your life is actually true?

I invited my wife, Angie to the podcast, not because Ang is my wife, but because having lived with Ang for 14 years, I see the other side of having lived that interesting life which makes people ask such questions. The lives that challenge us are also the lives that aren't seen because people don't quite believe your truth.

Ang grew up with an absent father and a mother with manic depression. Add neurodiversity and being gay in there too and you start to appreciate the challenges, the grace, the opportunities, the wisdom that Ang holds.

Angie talks candidly about her childhood, how it's impacted their adult life and important relationships, plus offers us an opportunity to reflect on our own hardships to see if we can see them through new eyes.

In this Episode:

• Navigating disability and mental illness
• The importance of your 'safe people' in life
• The power of objects for triggering memory
• When your wounds help others towards emotional freedom
• Reframing a childhood with adult eyes

Trigger Warning:

The podcast includes mention of a golly doll. The doll was given to Ang by her father in recognition of her African childhood, which is very dear to her heart. We acknowledge that the use of the word also represents outdated cultural depictions and advise listener discretion.

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Episode information

Music by Grant McLachlan

Resources

UK

Menopause Support UK - Support and information

NHS Menopause - Information

The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information

International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research

Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]

NHS Depression Support Groups

NHS Mental Health Services